PORT POLICE SINKING IN WAKE OF ATTACKS.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

Guarding the waterfront from terrorist attack has taxed the already understaffed Los Angeles Port Police, whose officers are working 12-hour shifts - sometimes for eight days straight.

And that worries their boss, who says long hours without a vacation or days off could compromise security.

``A tired police officer is not an effective police officer. ... That's a concern,'' said Los Angeles Port Police Chief Noel Cunningham. ``We don't have much choice. Sometimes it's better to have a tired police officer than none at all.''

The department is down about 18 percent from its authorized strength of 55 officers and that, coupled with the heightened state of alert, has the staff working plenty of overtime as it patrols 35 miles of shoreline through San Pedro, Wilmington and Terminal Island.

``It's not uncommon for us to have people work eight straight days without a day off during these times,'' Cunningham said. ``Our biggest concern is how long we can sustain this.''

A spokeswoman for Mayor James Hahn said he is concerned about security at the port and has appointed a task force to study the issue.

Once the task force reports back to the mayor, he can make arecommendation to the Harbor Commission, which would ultimately decide what changes should be made, spokeswoman Julie Wong said.

Harbor Commission President Nicholas Tonsich said the commission and the mayor hope to be able to increase the port police's budget and boost the staff by 20 percent to 25 percent.

``It's our goal to increase the force,'' he said, adding that it is hoped that new substations can be opened in Wilmington and in the West Channel to enhance the police presence.

Port officials said it has been very difficult to find qualified recruits. Those who are identified will have to go through the academy and training.

Cunningham said while labor laws may be superseded in time of crisis, port police officials have been cognizant of any signs of exhaustion in their staff.

``Most of the men and women who work (here) say they are fine, but we have to be aware,'' Cunningham said, adding that he had written letters to the officers' relatives, thanking them for their support.

``I would say morale on a scale of one to 10 is probably about a six,'' Cunningham said.

``Recognizing the loss that (occurred) in New York to the hundreds of law enforcement and fire personnel and seeing our country attacked, it really puts you in a mind-set that we are not going to let them win and ruin our morale.''

Officials hope the Port Security Taskforce - established by Mayor James Hahn following the events of Sept. 11 to examine the port's security program - will recommend to the mayor an increase in staffing levels at the port.

``We've been authorized to fill our budget ... but we have not been able to meet even that goal,'' Cunningham said, adding that the staff is nine people short of the agency's authorized strength.

Officials said despite the long hours, the port police staff have persevered.

``It's a little tough, but they are doing pretty well,'' said Los Angeles Port Police Lt. Daniel Aleman.

On Sept. 11, port officers were placed on tactical alert with 12-hour shifts seven days a week, and all days off and vacations were canceled. About mid-October, the tactical alert was downgraded to a modified alert and officials were placed on 12-hour days, five days a week, with days off granted and scheduled vacation days given, said Los Angeles Port Police Lt. Bill Fletcher.

The starting salary for a port police officer falls in the range of about $44,000 a year, with a raise of up to almost $57,000 with three to five years of experience, officials said.

For information about applying for a port police position, call the Human Resources division for the Harbor Department at [phone].

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With increased patrols since Sept. 11, the understaffed Los Angeles Port Police have been working overtime, sometimes as much as eight, 12-hour days in a row.

Brittany Murray/Long Beach Press-Telegram